A damaged Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas is drifting unmanned in the Mediterranean, raising fears of a potential environmental disaster off the southern coast of Italy.
The vessel, identified as the Arctic Metagaz, is part of a so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport sanctioned Russian energy exports. It was severely damaged earlier this month in a suspected drone attack near waters close to Malta.
Since then, the tanker has been drifting without a crew, with reports of a large breach in its hull. Authorities say it is now moving southwards, away from Italian waters and the island of Lampedusa, towards Libya.
Italian officials have warned that the risks posed by the vessel are significant. Speaking to Radio 24, Alfredo Mantovano, secretary of the Council of Ministers, described the situation as extremely dangerous.
“The risks are enormous,” he said, warning that the tanker could “explode at any moment”.
An explosive mixture: Liquefied gas and fuel
According to officials, the Arctic Metagaz is carrying substantial quantities of liquefied natural gas. This along with around 450 tonnes of fuel oil and 250 tonnes of diesel. At one point this week, the vessel was reported to be approximately 45 nautical miles from Italian territorial waters and close to the search-and-rescue zone assigned to Libya.
Italy has joined eight other EU countries in calling for action, sending a joint letter to the European Commission urging urgent intervention to address the situation.
The tanker had departed from the Russian port of Murmansk in February. In early March, it was struck by explosions and fire. Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for what he described as a “terrorist attack”, although Kyiv has not commented on the incident. Ukraine has previously considered such vessels legitimate targets, arguing that they help finance Russia’s war effort by circumventing Western sanctions.
The crew of the Arctic Metagaz were rescued by the Libyan coastguard shortly after the incident, leaving the tanker adrift.
Environmental groups have expressed alarm at the potential consequences. The World Wildlife Fund said it is on “maximum alert”. It warns that any spill or explosion could cause fires and long-term pollution in a marine area of high ecological value, home to numerous protected species.
